Estonia has been making a name for itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. With a population of just 1.3 million people, Estonia has become a hotbed of startup activity, attracting entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. One area where Estonia is particularly strong is in social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship is the practice of using business principles to solve social or environmental problems. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in social entrepreneurship in Estonia, and as a result, there are now a number of accelerators, mentors, and advisors specifically dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs.
Startup Wise Guys
Startup Wise Guys is one of the leading startup accelerators in Europe. Based in Tallinn, Estonia, Startup Wise Guys provides support to startups across a range of industries, including social entrepreneurship. The accelerator has an excellent track record of supporting successful startups and has invested in over 190 companies since its inception in 2012.
One of the core services provided by Startup Wise Guys is their three-month acceleration program. This program is designed to help startups grow and scale their business quickly. The program includes a range of services, including mentorship, business development support, and access to a global network of investors and partners.
Mentorship is a critical component of the Startup Wise Guys program. Startups are matched with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support on a range of topics, including product development, marketing, and fundraising. Mentors are selected based on their experience and expertise in the specific industry or market that the startup is targeting.
In addition to mentorship, Startup Wise Guys provides business development support. This support can include assistance with market research, product development, and go-to-market strategy. Startup Wise Guys also provides access to a range of resources, including legal and accounting services, to help startups build a solid foundation for their business.
Another key service provided by Startup Wise Guys is access to a global network of investors and partners. The accelerator has built relationships with investors and partners around the world, and startups in the program can leverage these connections to access funding, expand their network, and explore new markets.
They host regular events and workshops to connect startups with each other and with potential partners. These events provide opportunities for startups to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect with potential customers, investors, and partners.
Tehnopol Startup Incubator
Tehnopol Startup Incubator is an accelerator and incubator based in Tallinn, Estonia that provides support to early-stage startups, including social entrepreneurs. The incubator was established in 2003 and has since supported the growth and development of many successful startups in Estonia and beyond.
One of the key services provided by Tehnopol Startup Incubator is mentorship. The incubator has a network of experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support on a range of topics, including business planning, marketing, and fundraising. Mentors are selected based on their experience and expertise in the specific industry or market that the startup is targeting.
In addition to mentorship, Tehnopol Startup Incubator provides business development support. This support can include assistance with product development, market research, and go-to-market strategy. The incubator also provides access to a range of resources, including legal and accounting services, to help startups build a solid foundation for their business.
Another key service provided by Tehnopol Startup Incubator is access to funding opportunities. The incubator has built relationships with investors and funding organizations in Estonia and beyond, and startups in the program can leverage these connections to access funding and support for their business.
Tehnopol Startup Incubator also hosts regular events and workshops to connect startups with each other and with potential partners. These events provide opportunities for startups to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect with potential customers, investors, and partners.
One unique aspect of Tehnopol Startup Incubator is its focus on sustainability and environmental innovation. The incubator has a strong commitment to supporting startups that are working to address some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing the world today.
Tartu Business Advisory Services
Tartu Business Advisory Services is a business incubator and advisory service based in Tartu, Estonia that provides support to startups and small businesses in the Tartu region. The incubator was established in 1992 and has since supported the growth and development of many successful startups and small businesses.
One of the key services provided by Tartu Business Advisory Services is mentorship. The incubator has a network of experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support on a range of topics, including business planning, marketing, and fundraising. Mentors are selected based on their experience and expertise in the specific industry or market that the startup or small business is targeting.
In addition to mentorship, Tartu Business Advisory Services provides training and education programs to help startups and small businesses build the skills they need to succeed. These programs can include workshops, seminars, and training sessions on topics such as financial management, marketing, and customer acquisition.
Another key service provided by Tartu Business Advisory Services is access to funding opportunities. The incubator has built relationships with investors and funding organizations in Estonia and beyond, and startups and small businesses in the program can leverage these connections to access funding and support for their business.
They also provide specialized support for social entrepreneurs. This support can include assistance with developing a social enterprise business model, accessing funding and investment opportunities, and connecting with other social entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the community.
They also host regular events and workshops to connect startups and small businesses with each other and with potential partners. These events provide opportunities for startups and small businesses to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect with potential customers, investors, and partners.
Garage48 Foundation
Garage48 Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Tallinn, Estonia that provides support to startups and social entrepreneurs through hackathons and accelerator programs. The foundation was established in 2010 and has since supported the growth and development of many successful startups and social enterprises in Estonia and beyond.
One of the core services provided by Garage48 Foundation is hackathons. Hackathons are events that bring together entrepreneurs, developers, and designers to collaborate on building a new product or service in a short period of time. Garage48 Foundation hosts regular hackathons that focus on different themes, such as sustainability, healthcare, and education. These hackathons provide opportunities for startups and social entrepreneurs to connect with each other and with potential partners and investors.
In addition to hackathons, Garage48 Foundation also offers accelerator programs. These programs are designed to help startups and social entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses quickly. The accelerator program includes mentorship, business development support, and access to a global network of partners and investors.
Mentorship is a critical component of the Garage48 Foundation program. Startups and social entrepreneurs are matched with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support on a range of topics, including product development, marketing, and fundraising. Mentors are selected based on their experience and expertise in the specific industry or market that the startup or social enterprise is targeting.
They also provide access to funding opportunities. The foundation has built relationships with investors and funding organizations in Estonia and beyond, and startups and social enterprises in the program can leverage these connections to access funding and support for their business.
They also host regular events and workshops to connect startups and social entrepreneurs with each other and with potential partners. These events provide opportunities for startups and social entrepreneurs to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect with potential customers, investors, and partners.
Government programs and initiatives
In addition to these accelerators, mentors, and advisors, Estonia also offers a range of government programs and initiatives designed to support social entrepreneurship, including tax incentives, grants, and investment opportunities.
One of the key government programs is tax incentives. Social entrepreneurs in Estonia can benefit from a range of tax incentives, including exemptions from income tax, social tax, and value-added tax (VAT). These incentives are designed to make it easier for social entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses in Estonia.
Another key government program is grants. The Estonian government provides a range of grants to social entrepreneurs, including startup grants, innovation grants, and research and development grants. These grants are designed to provide financial support to social entrepreneurs who are working on innovative projects and initiatives.
The Estonian government has also created a range of investment opportunities for social entrepreneurs. For example, the Estonian Development Fund provides equity investments to social entrepreneurs who are working on innovative projects and initiatives. The fund also provides access to a network of investors and partners who can provide additional support and funding.
In addition to these programs and initiatives, the Estonian government has developed a strong network of support organizations for social entrepreneurs. These organizations provide a range of services, including mentorship, training, and access to funding opportunities. Some of these organizations include the Estonian Social Enterprise Network, the Estonian Fund for Nature, and the Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation.
Conclusion
Estonia has developed a robust ecosystem to support social entrepreneurship, including a range of government programs and initiatives designed to provide financial and other forms of support to social entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurs in Estonia can benefit from tax incentives, grants, and investment opportunities, as well as access to a range of support organizations and networks.
These programs and initiatives are helping to fuel the growth of the social entrepreneurship sector in Estonia and are positioning Estonia as a leader in social entrepreneurship in Europe and beyond.
Examples of successful social enterprises in Estonia
- Gelatex – a social enterprise that produces leather-like material from gelatin. This material is environmentally friendly, as it is biodegradable and non-toxic, and is made from by-products of the meat industry. Gelatex has received several awards and recognition for its innovative solution to the environmental problems associated with traditional leather production.
- ÖÖD – a social enterprise that produces minimalist, prefabricated houses that can be assembled in just a few hours. ÖÖD houses are designed to be energy-efficient and eco-friendly, and are a great solution for affordable housing. ÖÖD has received international recognition for its innovative design and approach to sustainable housing.
- Upsteem.com – a social enterprise that provides a digital platform for employee performance management and career development. Upsteem.com helps employers to measure and improve employee engagement and productivity, and helps employees to track their career development and set goals for professional growth. Upsteem.com has been successful in helping companies to improve their organizational culture and has received several awards for its innovative approach to employee performance management.
- Let’s Do It Foundation – Let’s Do It Foundation is an Estonian non-profit organization that organizes clean-up campaigns around the world. The organization started in Estonia in 2008 and has since organized clean-up campaigns in more than 150 countries. The organization’s goal is to clean up the world’s trash and raise awareness about the impact of litter on the environment.
- Hooandja – Hooandja is a crowdfunding platform for creative projects in Estonia. The platform has helped to fund a wide range of projects, including films, art exhibitions, and music festivals. Hooandja has been recognized for its impact on the Estonian creative community, and has received support from the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
